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CITES rebuffs Japan’s efforts to reopen whale meat trade

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

The Hague, Netherlands

Whales scored their second victory in as many weeks today when Parties to the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(CITES) derailed yet another attempt by Japan to reopen commercial trade in
whale products. "This is a big win for the great whales,” said Patrick Ramage,
Global Whale Program Manager with IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare
-&nbsp;www.ifaw.org).

Since 1994, Japan and Norway have regularly submitted proposals to CITES seeking
to weaken protection for the great whales. This year, Japan proposed a
full review of the population status of all 13 great whale species by CITES,
while Iceland submitted a proposal for review of the fin whale.
Today’s rejection of these proposals by an overwhelming majority of Parties
immediately follows losses for Japan, Iceland and Norway at the annual meeting
of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) held in Anchorage, Alaska from May
28 to May 31. The IWC also passed a resolution condemning Japan’s
so-called “scientific whaling” program by a significant majority of
votes.

“Japan's forum shopping tactics and attempts to
resuscitate the whale meat trade have been rejected,” said Ramage.
“Today’s decision and the strong conservation majority at last week's IWC
meeting signal an emerging global consensus for whale conservation in the 21st
century,” Ramage continued. “Given this meeting’s welcome focus on human
livelihoods, it is important to note the tremendous economic benefits that
responsible whale watching now brings to coastal communities in more than 90
countries and territories worldwide. Animals and people both do better
when whales are seen and not hurt,” he said.

To learn more about
IFAW’s global campaign to protect elephants from commercial trade, visit www.ifaw.org today.